Little Pieces

I am peppered, I warrant, for this world.

Each little piece of me has been ripped out

Given away willingly and tossed into wind.

I cannot be swept away because the breeze travels right through me.

You were struggling with it all so I gave you my ears

And listened to the pained choir of your heart.

You still have my ears and I will always be ready to listen.

I sent my arms to a friend when he needed support

And they get tired from holding the walls up

That keep everything secure and structured in his life,

But I can never show that they tire so much.

So I'll clasp them together around his walls,

Forcing them stable until he doesn't need them any more.

Little bits of my chest, my heart, my lungs, my throat,

Are missing now from years and years of wear.

I took the crushing blows and got holes in my ribs.

Then gave pieces of my heart to help you keep beating.

I gave you my air when tears were clogging your breath.

And told you it would be alright, enough to keep you there. 

It made me happy as long as I could see you laugh

And smile about all the great joys of life.

It seldom occurred that I was slowly killing myself

Just by helping you to not do the same.

I forgot to be happy and put off resting

All so I could give you little bits to fix your puzzle.

I never got any of the pieces back and never will.

But I don't want them back as long as they help you.

I can walk, I can eat, I can drink, I can breath, I can sleep,

Which is all I need because it's enough to help you through.

The holes running through me are like little red tunnels

Being traversed by worms and filled with their dirt.

They have made worms' meat of me.